Annapolis Alderman Kirby faces questions about residence

Kenneth J. Kirby during his swearing-in as an alderman for Ward Six. (Baltimore Sun/Amy Davis)

Nicole Fuller, The Baltimore Sun

Annapolis housing officials are investigating whether an alderman found by police in a city-owned complex during a drug raid last week is living there in violation of a lease agreement.

Alderman Kenneth A. Kirby had little to say Tuesday about where he lives. Annapolis police said Kirby, who was in one of two apartments that were raided, is not accused of any wrongdoing.

"I'm 57 years old, if I want to lay my head there or anywhere else in the city of Annapolis, that's where I'll be," said Kirby, who was elected to the council in 2009. "How often I stay at home or anywhere else — that's nobody's business."

The city's Housing Authority now must determine whether Kirby is living in the apartment, which is rented to his niece, or was merely a visitor when police burst into the apartment in search of PCP last Thursday. Officials are also trying to figure out whether he is named on any leasing documents.

Kirby said that he splits his time between the apartment in the 1200 block of Madison Street in the Harbour House community, and a home on Conley Drive, which he uses as his mailing address; both addresses are within the ward he represents.

Kirby also said he spends time at the downtown Annapolis home of his friend and political adviser, Chuck Weikel, a prominent Democratic activist. When Weikel is out of town on business, Kirby house sits and cares for Weikel's cat, he said.

Carl O. Snowden, the chairman of the Housing Authority Board of Directors, said Tuesday that if Kirby is living in the apartment he would be required to add his name to the lease, because the rent is based on the total income of the apartment.

"To live in public housing, you have to be income eligible," said Snowden. "The rent is based on the total housing income, so if he's living there, his alderman salary should be factored into the unit's income."

Snowden said Kirby, who earns $12,600 annually as alderman and does not have other permanent employment, would "definitely be eligible" based on his income.

Vincent O. Leggett, executive director of the Housing Authority, said the agency is "pulling together all of the information," and could not say whether Kirby is on the lease. Asked whether the lessee could face eviction if Kirby was found to be living in the apartment in violation of the lease, Leggett said he was unsure.

"We're really just trying to get the facts," he said.

Police have declined to answer questions about the raid since releasing a statement last Saturday — two days after the Jan. 5 raid. A police spokeswoman did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

On Monday night, Police Chief Michael A. Pristoop said more detailed information was forthcoming, but declined to answer questions, except to say he was "100 percent sure" that Kirby was not involved in any illegal activity.

According to the police statement, police obtained "no knock" search warrants from a judge after receiving information from a confidential informant, who told police about drug activity in the building.

In the first apartment, police found PCP, marijuana, and packaging material and arrested three people. In an upstairs apartment they found Kirby, who was watching TV. No drugs were found in the unit. Kirby called the raid "harrowing."

In a brief phone interview Tuesday, Kirby said he had plans to meet with Pristoop.

"I'm worried, and I need to check some things thoroughly before I go at Pristoop, and I intend to go at Pristoop," said Kirby, who declined to offer further explanation and would not allow a reporter to inspect the police search warrant.

At a home on Conley Drive that Kirby has claimed as his legal address, Frank Branford, 64, answered the door Monday.

"He doesn't live here," said Branford, who said he shares the home with his mother, a friend of Kirby's. "Sometimes he comes on the weekends and stuff. That was something my mom worked out with him."

At the Harbour House development on Monday afternoon, Kirby allowed a reporter into the apartment, which was tidy and contained a small suitcase and a pair of men's shoes neatly arranged on the living-room floor.

Rhonda Wardlaw, a spokeswoman for Mayor Joshua J. Cohen, said Tuesday that city officials are satisfied that Kirby lives in his ward.

Alderman Ross Arnett, a Democrat who represents Eastport, dismissed questions about both the police raid and Kirby's residency issues.

"Kenny is really a roving ambassador for the city," said Arnett. "He is sought out by his constituents and people from other wards [for help]. … I'm totally happy with the facts as I know them. I don't have any suspicions or concerns. He has a heart of gold."